The 134-year-old Stewartstown Railroad is taking on the challenge of preserving history and bringing a new generation onboard that craves real-world experience.

In order for the railroad to succeed, it needs new blood to carry on the historical passion and hard work, according to Mike Ruane, a director of the railroad company.

That's being done in part through the Junior Railroaders program that began five years ago, and is open to youths from 10-18 years old.

Nathan Filak, a 15-year-old who took on the role of junior conductor during Sunday's 11:30 a.m. Santa Ride, compares his hands-on experience to a virtual screen version: "real is a little more interesting than virtual."

The Stewartstown Railroad "chartered in 1884, is one of the oldest, continuously running common-carrier railroad companies (STRT) in existence," according to its website. Reaching that milestone, however, has required constant determination.

While U.S. railroads were declining during 1950s and 60s, "a small group of loyal supporters (many of whom held stock in the company) utilized the Stewartstown Railroad until 1972 when Hurricane Agnes struck," according to the railroad website.

The 7.4 miles of track that run from Stewartstown to an interchange in New Freedom connected freight to the national rail network.

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Vincent Skinner, 18, places out a sign welcoming riders to the Stewartstown Railroad. He started volunteering for the the railroad when he was 17 and is now assistant stationmaster. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

Junior conductor Nathan Filak, 15, shouts "All Aboard!" alerting passengers to board the Stewartstown Railroad Santa Ride on Sunday. He and others are part of an effort to get young people interested in railroading. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

Brennan Ledesma, age 11, and Nathan Filak, age 15 monitor the model train display at the Stewartstown Railroad on Sunday December 9, 2018 before the real train leaves the station. Filak had the model replica of the Stewartstown's Mighty-Mo Plymouth locomotive and 1920's era coach made for the model train display. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

The new gift shop for the at the Stewartstown Railroad with the train display in the background Sunday December 9, 2018. The railroad took ownership of the former Santander Bank branch location that also included a large parking lot. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

Nathan Filak, age 15 monitors the model train display at the Stewartstown Railroad on Sunday December 9, 2018 before the real train leaves the station. Filak had the model replica of the Stewartstown's Mighty-Mo Plymouth locomotive and 1920's era coach made for the model train display. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

The historic hurricane didn't damage the Stewartstown rail line as much as it did the connecting Northern Central Railway that ran through York County between New Freedom and York.

The Stewartstown Railroad that had weathered the Great Depression and a transformation from rail to trucking in the 1950s was cut off from the world as a freight carrier.

It maintained its right-of-way and locomotives after 1972 in hopes of a future connection. That patience was rewarded with a reconnection to the former Northern Central line in 1985 that today connects to national rail network in York. Stewartstown ran trains on the Northern Central line until 1992, according the their website.

Passenger excursion trains continued on Stewartstown’s track until 2004, when it ran into financial trouble.

After resolving financial difficulties in 2013, big excursion trains began to roll again on the Stewartstown Railroad in 2015.

Today, the railroad is thriving. With the addition of a former Santander Bank branch building next door and parking this summer, the gift shop has been moved out of the train station, and a display of model trains has been added to the former bank building.

The original station building has a new metal roof. A new open air car was added this year, and a sister car of the 1920s coach used in Sunday's Santa Train is expected to come on line next year.

Below: Large machines work on the Stewartstown Railroad this summer.

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The tiny Stewartstown Railroad has some big machines to help with the backbreaking work of railroad tie replacement.
Paul Kuehnel, pkuehnel@ydr.com

Next generation starts work

Nathan, the junior conductor working at Sunday's weekly Santa Train excursion, said he first caught the train bug from his grandfather, who worked on railroads and told him stories about what he did on the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central and Norfolk Southern. Listening to the stories, Nathan got into model trains with his grandfather.

Wearing a well-tailored conductor's uniform, he cried out the “A-L-L A-BOARD!" welcomed passengers, recited the rules of riding the train, collected tickets, kept general order while children visited Santa, and even started a round of "Jingle Bells" as the train rolled back into the Stewartstown train station.

"When I realized I could volunteer here, I decided I would start off junior conducting, but now I do track work and really anything they will allow me to do," Nathan said.

Vincent Skinner began in the junior program when he was 17. A year later, he is assistant stationmaster, running details inside the historic train station while visitors are buying tickets.

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Vincent Skinner, assistant stationmaster, sweeps out the entrance to a coach before riders board the Santa Ride on the Stewartstown Railroad.(Photo: Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record)

"There is so much history here," Skinner said. "I'm big into local history." Describing the area around the train station, "Since the 1880s, this whole block is different, but the railroad is still here."

He went on to say, "I had seen it fall into a dilapidated state, and I'm glad I can keep it here."

Stewartstown Railroad timeline

1885: The grand opening of the Stewartstown Railroad is held.

1901: The Stewartstown Railroad Company is incorporated.

1914: Stewartstown rail station is built in a new location to oblige New Park and Fawn Grove Railroad.

1923: Stewartstown Railroad takes over the New Park and Fawn Grove line, doubling its size.

Chip Welsh, playing Santa, at the Stewartstown Railroad on Sunday December 9, 2018 holds Brea Graham, age 3, while her mother Kristin talks to her during a Santa Ride.(Photo: Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record)

Santa Rides 2018 continue

Saturday Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and a special night run at 6:30 p.m.

David Williamson, president of the Stewartstown Railroad, describes the open air excursion car behind him that was put into service on Saturday after passing inspection. Volunteers built the top of the car that is based on a Pennsylvania Railroad flat car that was built near Pittsburgh in the 1930's. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

The inside of the new Stewartstown Railroad open-air excursion car converted by volunteers was placed in service on Saturday. The railroad chartered in 1885 has 50 active volunteers, but is always looking for people interested in working on the railroad. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

A casting on a wheel assembly says 'PRR" to designate that it was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad. The 25 flat car made with a one-piece steel casting was built in the 1930's near Pittsburgh. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record